July
Blog POST
Help, the kids are bored!
3 easy 4th of July tips + 10 free downloadable coloring pages that will keep them busy for hours.
Yeah. The 4th of July is a super holiday – but often for kids, it just means a long, fussy wait. And when you’re trying not to burn the hot dog or just want 10 minutes of quiet conversation with your friends, then comes the whining, the running around, and all forms of “mooooo”.
If you’re familiar with this situation, I’ve brought you three simple, tried-and-tested ideas that have saved the day for us many times. No overthinking, no extra organisation – just a few ideas to keep the kids busy and you can relax a little.
1. Free downloadable colouring pages – when you need a little quiet
Download it here
When everything is still in the morning or you’re tired in the afternoon, colouring in is really golden. That’s why I’ve created a 10-page free downloadable colouring pack especially for the 4th of July.
It’s got flags, rockets, eagles, fireworks – everything festive and American. The kids will love getting lost in it, and you’ll get some time to yourself (or the barbecue) while you’re at it.
Why do I love it?
Because you really just print it out and you’re ready to start coloring.
No tidying up, no big prep.
And if you like, you can display the finished creations as decorations in the garden or on the table.
Tip from me: set up a little table with coloured pencils and markers and name it “Creative Corner” – they’ll be as proud of it as if it were their own exhibition.
2. Garden games – when everyone’s fired up
There comes a point when kids can’t sit still – especially if there’s a yard or garden and everyone else is moving around. That’s when fast, fun moving games that don’t require anything extra, just what you have at home come in handy.
Flag hunt
Hide small American flags, red and blue objects or printed motifs in the garden. Kids get a little „scavenger hunt sheet” and the race is on!
Water pistol target shooting
My kids love this. I drew some „targets” (fireworks, stars, rockets), taped them on a cardboard and they had to hit them with a water pistol. Laughter guaranteed – and their clothes would get wet anyway.
Mini „Olympics”
Jumping in bags, carrying eggs in spoons, running for lemonade – it’s really no big deal to put a few of these together, but they compete in them with total abandon. And the winner gets a little prize – like an extra muffin.
With these ideas, they’ll not only get their energy out, but they’ll be much calmer later on for the fireworks display in the evening.
3. Crafts and festive treats – because they like to get ready too
Once you have a small table or blanket, you have your “workshop”. The craft corner is always a winner in our house because the kids love to create, and when I say “you make the centerpiece”, they feel important.
Craft ideas:
Paper flags: cut out of colourful cardboard, glued on a loop stick, decorated with stickers or paint.
Rockets made from toilet paper rolls – if you have leftovers at home, they can be a really fun little project.
Headdress with stars – a bit of glitter powder, red, blue and white paper and you’re done.
And if they get hungry:
Fruit skewers – strawberries, bananas, blueberries. Healthy and beautiful!
Muffin toppings – simple vanilla muffins and they’re spread with red or blue icing.
Popcorn in flag paper – just a little extra decoration and you’ve got something special.
+1: Cuckoo for the evening fireworks
When it’s getting dark, we have a habit of building a “fireworks hut” together out of blankets and pillows. We set up candles, a small popcorn bowl and watch the lights together.
The children decorate the hut beforehand with their coloured flags and decorations they’ve made – that’s what makes it really theirs.
And while I’m at it, I sit down for a moment. It’s what I look forward to most at the end of the day.
One last thought
The 4th of July can be noisy, busy and tiring – but with these little ideas, it can be a real treat for the kids. And, by the way, it’ll be easier for you if they’re having fun.
In my previous blog you can find free downloadable Party Planners.You can find them here
Final thought:
The essence of gift giving is not the price, but the attention, when I search among the ideas, when I write my father’s name on a useful gift, he appears in all my thoughts. These ideas show that you can give a gift with love, humor, and uniqueness for under $25.
If you like unique things and would like to support a creator, you can look around in my Webshops!
